Shuttle receiving mechanism for gripper shuttle looms



March 10, 1964 E. PFARRWALLER 3,124,166

SHUTTLE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR `GRIPPER SHUTTLE LOOMS Filed June 6, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1

F llg. 4 af a2 27a 7a 2/9 2]@ M9 ma Ivi/enten' March l0, 1964 E. PFARRWALLER 3,124,156

SHUTTLE RECElVING MECHANISM FOR GRIPPER SHUTTLE LOOMS I IK l c ,fr/:9, 5 53 59 F193 March 10, 1964 E. PFARRWALLER SHUTTLE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR GRIPPER SHUTTLE LOOMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 6, 1962 INI/ENTOR. {Rw/N PFA @E WA L ER 11 ORNEY United States Patent G Claims priority, application Switzerland .lune 14, 1961 Claims. (Cl. 139-126) The present invention relates to a weaving machine of the gripper shuttle type wherein a gripper shuttle pulls weft thread through a shed formed by warp threads from a spool placed outside the shed. The invention relates more particularly to a shuttle receiving mechanism forming part of a weaving machine of the aforesaid type and including means for braking the shuttles to stop them at a predetermined location within the shuttle receiving mechanism.

it is an object of the present invention to provide in a shuttle receiving mechanism as described above means for checking the stopping position of the shuttles and for determining the length of the path in which the shuttles travel in the receiving mechanism while the shuttles are braked until they come to a full stop. The means according to the invention includes two feelers placed in spaced relation along the shuttle path in the shuttle receiving mechanism. The feelers define the part of the shuttle path wherein the forward ends of the shuttles are desired to come to a standstill. If the feelers indicate that the shuttles do not stop at the desired location the brake is adjusted until they do.

That one of the shuttle feelers which is reached rst by the shuttles defines the minimum length of shuttle brake path. By actuation of this feeler, for example, by hand it can be detected whether the shuttles reach the first feeler or not. lf they do not reach the first feeler, the brake should be loosened until it lets the shuttles run up to the first feeler. The second feeler reached by the shuttles after they have passed the first feeler serves for determining the maximum length of shuttle brake path. lf the iirst feeler detects a shuttle which is not detected by the second feeler, the shuttle has stopped somewhere between the feelers, which is desired. lf the second feeler detects presence of a shuttle, the shuttle has traveled too far and the brake must be adjusted, i.e. tightened, to increase the braking force.

With the arrangement according to the invention the length of the brake path of the shuttles can be checked without stopping the loom and the end of the shuttle brake path can be placed between the two shuttle feelers by suitable adjustment of the brake.

Accurate placement of the location where the shuttles come to a full stop in the shuttle receiviny mechanism by proper adjustment of the shuttle brake and of the length of the brake path is important because the shuttle receiving mechanism of looms with which the invention is concerned usually includes a shuttle push-back device which is located in the shuttle path beyond the location where the shuttles should stop. The shuttle push-back device which is shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,990,854 pushes each shuttle in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the shuttles through the shed back to a predetermined position. The weft threads inserted by the shuttles are simultaneously pulled back by a thread tensioner, for example, as shown in Patent No. 2,589,429. Thereupon the inserted weft thread is released from the shuttle and the end of the weft thread projecting from the shed is bent back after the change of the shed into the subsequently formed shed. The shuttle push-back device accurately places each shuttle into a predetermined position where the weft thread is discon- 3,124,166 Patented Mar. 10, 1964 fice nected from the shuttle so that the lengths of all thread ends projecting from the shed are exactly the same and an equally wide and clean selvage is formed.

In looms having a shuttle push-back device as described above it must be avoided that the shuttles bump against the push-back device, as is the case when the brake force is too little. On the other hand the brake force should not be unnecessarily great in order to avoid excessive wear of the brake lining. The brake force must never be so great as to stop the shuttles before they reach the position wherefrom they are supposed to be pushed back by the push-back device to the position for releasing the weft thread. By providing shuttle feelers according to the invention the length of the brake path can be accurately determined and can be so adjusted while the weaving machine is in operation that every shuttle stops in front of the push-back device.

if the shuttle receiving mechanism is equipped according to the invention with means for determining the length of the shuttle brake path, a second brake is unnecessary which is usually provided to positively avoid knocking of the shuttles against the shuttle push-back device. Only one brake is needed and this brake is neither overloaded nor underloaded.

The arrangement according to the invention is of particular' advantage, if the operating conditions of the weaving machine must be changed, for example, if the speed of the machine must be changed, if the weft material is changed, or if the width of the fabric is changed. These changes cause a change of the speed at which the shuttles enter the shuttie receiving mechanism. With the arrangement according to the invention the brake force can be altered in a simple manner to suit the changed conditions.

ln weaving machines provided with means for stopping the machine in response to a shuttle feeler or detector built into the shuttle receiving mechanism, this detector can be used as that one of the shuttle feelers according to the invention which is passed by the forward ends of the shuttles leaving the brake in the receiving mechanism and only one additional shuttle feeler is required. If the shuttle does not reach the detector because of too great a brake force the machine is stopped and it is impossible that the loom is operated with a shuttle brake developing too much force.

In an embodiment of the invention each of the feelers for determining the length of the brake path of the shuttles in the shuttle receiving mechanism comprises a feeler rod which can be manipulated against the action of a spring so that an end of the rod extends into the shuttle path. By pressing the feelers from time to time, for example once a day, into the shuttle path, it can be ascertained whether the brake is correctly adjusted and, if not, the brake can be readjusted.

The end portions of the feeler rods, which are adjacent to the shuttle path are preferably guided in apertures of a guide plate. There are preferably more than two apertures, provided in spaced relation along the shuttle path, and the feeler rods can be inserted in selected apertures.

By changing the apertures into which the feeler rods are inserted, the distance between the feeler rods and the difference between the maximal and minimal length of the brake path can be changed. For example, when the loom is operated at higher shuttle speeds the feeler rod which is passed by the shuttles leaving the brake is moved closer to the second feeler rod which must not be passed by the shuttles and the length of the brake path is increased.

An embodiment of the invention includes means for automatically adjusting the brake force in response to the indications made by the shuttle feelers.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, and additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of embodiments thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a gripper shuttle weaving machine to which the invention can be applied; the weaving machine is seen from the cloth beam side.

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of a shuttle receiving mechanism of a loom as shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shuttle receiving mechanism shown in FIG. 2, the section being made along line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2, the section being made along line IV--IV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modified portion of the shuttle receiving mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus according to the invention for automatically adjusting the shuttle brake of the shuttle receiving mechanism shown in FIG. 2 in response to indications made by the shuttle feelers according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mechanism for operating the device shown in FIG. 3 and for actuating a stop-motion shaft by `said device.

Referring more particularly to the drawing wherein like parts are designated by like numerals in the several figures, FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a loom having two side shields 1 and 2 between which extend a warp beam, which is not visible, a cloth beam composed of two parts 3 and 18 whereunto fabrics 4 and 19 are wound, guide and tensioning means, not shown, for the warp and the fabrics, and a main drive shaft 5. The latter is driven by a motor 7 and provided with a brake 6, both shown on the left side of the loom. These parts may be placed on the right side of the loom. Numeral 8 designates a reed for beating in weft threads 10 and numeral 9 designates heddles for forming a shed of warp threads. The weft thread 10 is pulled from a spool 11, placed outside of the shed formed by warp threads, by a gripper shuttle 12 which is picked by a picking mechanism 13 through the shed and guided by shuttle guides 14. After having passed through the shed the shuttle is received in a receiving mechanism 15.

On each side of the shed formed by warp threads, adjacent to the mechanisms 13 and 15, is a device 16 for forming a selvage. If two lengths of fabric are woven, as shown in FIG. l, an additional selvage forming device 21 is axially movabl-y mounted on a shaft 20. The device 21 can be fixed on the shaft 20 in a position depending on the widths of the lengths of fabric 4 and 19. The devices 16 and 21 are so arranged and constructed as to place the weft thread 10 in a desired position and to clamp it prior to cutting the weft thread at the shuttle picking side of the loom and on both sides of the selvage forming device 21. r1`he ends of the weft threads projecting from the shed are bent back into the shed after the shed has changed after the insertion of the weft thread.

Entry of the shuttle 12 into the shuttle receiving mechanism is supervised by a shuttle detecting device 17. The shuttle receiving mechanism 15 which is more completely illustrated in FIG. 2 is surrounded by a housing 23 and includes a base plate 24 which supports a stationary brake plate or lining 25 containing fibrous material. A similar brake plate 26 is located above the plate 25 and spaced therefrom to permit the shuttles to move between the plates. The upper brake plate 26 is supported by a brake shoe 28. The latter has recesses 29 into which the plate 26 extends for preventing movement of the plate in the direction parallel of the shuttle path. A shuttle guide 31 is connected to the brake shoe 2S which places each shuttle entering the shuttl-e receiving mechanism in the correct position relative to the brake plates 25 and 26.

rEhe brake shoe 28 is vertically movable in a stationary guide 33. The upper part of the brake shoe 2S is provided with a threaded bore 34 receiving the lower threaded end 35 of an element 36. The latter has a head 3'7 projecting through the top of the housing 23 and can be turned by inserting a suitable tool into a recess 38 in the head 37. The element 36 is provided with a collar 41 placed above a stationary plate 39 and a collar 42 placed below the stationary plate 39. The collars 41 and 42 prevent vertical movement of the element 36. Therefore, the brake shoe 2S together with the upper brake plate 26 can be lifted or lowered by rotating the element 36. In this way the pressure of the brake exerted on the shuttles can be adjusted.

The upper end of the brake shoe 28 is provided with shoulders 43 and a slot 44. A horizontal screw 45 is screwed into the upper portion of the brake shoe 28 which portion surrounds the threaded bore 34 for tightening the slotted top portion of the brake shoe 2S on to the threaded lower portion 35 of the element 36. The screw 45 is preferably so much tightened that the element 36 can be rotated by a suitable tool but cannot rotate on its own due to vibrations of the machine. In this way the adjusted position of the brake plate 26 is maintained until a readjustment is made by rotating the element 36.

The shuttle receiving mechanism 15 includes a guide plate 46 provided with four guide apertures 47 to 50 and a recess 51 in the right end of the plate. A shuttle detecting member 52 has a lower end extending into the recess 51 and may be moved so far down as to extend into the path 54 of the shuttles. The upper end of the member 52 is guided in a stationary plate 39. A spring 53 located in the plate 39 with one end abutting against upper shoulders of the detector member 52 urges the member 52 in a downward direction. The member 52 is provided with a shoulder 55 (FIG. 3) adapted to engage a nose 56 of a triangular lever 3S which is swingable on a pin 57. A horizontally movable actuating rod 61 is pivoted at 59 to the lever 53. The left end of the rod 61, as seen in FIG. 3, is provided with a hook 62 and a recess 63 wherein a shoulder 64 of the detecting member 52 may be received.

As shown in FIG. 8, the rod 61 is operatively connected to the main drive shaft 5 of the loom to make one reciprocating movement during each shuttle pick, causing the nose 56 to move once up and down during each shuttle pick. At the moment when a shuttle enters the receiving mechanism or is supposted to enter the receiving mechanism the recess 63 is in the leftmost position as seen in FIG. 3 so that it can and will receive the shoulder 64, unless the bottom end of the member 52 comes to rest on a shuttle 12. If a shuttle is received in the receiving mechanism and passes the member 52 the rod 61 can continue its reciprocating movement to the right. If for any reason no shuttle has arrived in the shuttle receiving mechanism, the spring 53 urges the member 52 into the shuttle path 54 and the shoulder 64 moves into the recess 63. Under these circumstances the rod 61 cannot move to the right. If this is the case, a loom stop-motion shaft 129, as shown by way of example in FIG. 8, is actuated and stops the weaving machine. Since the rod 61 cannot move to the right, a pivot pin 136 connecting a lever 135 to the rod 61 becomes fulcrum of the lever which is now moved counterclockwise by an eccentric rod 134 swingable on an eccentric disc 133 which is fast on the drive shaft 5. A pin 131 swingable on the end of the lever 135 opposite the end carrying the pivot pin 136 is urged to the right against the action of a spring 132 and turns the stop-motion shaft 129 counterclockwise by way of an arm 130 which is fast on the shaft 129. This mechanism is shown in Patent No. 2,3 86,706. The stop-motion mechanism actuated by the stop-motion shaft 129 is not shown, as it does not form part of the present invention. Loom stop-motion mechanisms are shown in Patent Nos. 2,546,833, 2,639,732, 2,808,853, 2,956,588 and others.

A bar 67 is mounted by means of screws 65, 66 on the plate 39 and a tubular element 63 is inserted in the bar 67, the longitudinal axis of the element 68 being vertical. The upper end of the tubular element 63 is provided with diametrically opposed apertures 69 and is closed by a cover 7l. The elements 39, 67 and 68 serve as guides for two vertical rods or feelers "72 and 73 whose upper ends 7d and 75, respectively, are bent at a right angle and extend through the apertures 69 to the outside of the element 68. The lower ends of the apertures 69 form abutments for the ends 74 and 75 of the rods 72 and 73, limiting downward movement of the rods. A coil spring 76 inside the element 68 rests on the bar 67 and presses against the bent ends 74 and 75, urging the rods 72 and 73 in upward direction. The lower ends of the rods 72 and 73 are bent and extend into holes 417 and Sti, respectively, of a guide plate 46 which is parallel to the plate 24. The rods 72 and 73 can be moved downward against the action of the spring 76 by pressing on the ends '74 and '75 so that the lower ends may extend into the shuttle path 54 unless there is a shuttle in the path. The ends of the brake plates and 26 which are contacted rst by the shuttles entering the brake are beveled or slanted at $3 and 84 to facilitate entry of the shuttles into the brake. The braking path 85' of the shuttles ft2 begins approximately at the dotted line 86 in FIG. 2. The end of the braking path is reached by the forward ends 27 of the shuttles when the latter come to a standstill, for example, at the dotted line S7.

In the extension of the shuttle path 54 and more particularly in the longitudinal center line 79 of the shuttles (FIG. 3) beyond the point where the shuttles stop is a reciprocating shuttle push back member 8l which is reciprocated by the loom drive in synchronism with the shuttle picking operations. The push back member Sli is provided with a recess 32 (FIG. 4) corresponding in shape to the forward end 27 of the shuttles. The push back member 8l is not as thick as the shuttles 12 and can be moved beneath the lower ends 77 and 73 ofthe feeler rods 72 and 73, also when the latter are pushed down to their lowest positions.

The apparatus operates as follows: The forward end of a shuttle l2 received in the shuttle receiving mechanism 15 is at the dotted line S7 in FIG. 2 when the shuttle comes to its standstill and the brake plate 26 is correctly adjusted. Thereupon the detector 52 is moved downward to the position shown in FlGS. 2 and 3 and rests on the shuttle. In this position of the detector, the shoulder 64 cannot enter the recess 63 of the loom stop motion rod 6l so that this rod can continue its reciprocating movement and the loom is not stopped.

For occasionally checking the length of the braking path S5 the feelers 72 and 73 are pressed down by the operator from time to time. If the brake plate 26 is correctly adjusted and the shuttles pass below the feeler 72, the latter is knocked on by the shuttles, the knocks being clearly felt by the finger or hand of the operator. The rod 73, however, must not be knocked on by the shuttles but must be movable into the shuttle path 54. If the shuttles reach only the position 27a shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, because the brake force of the plate 26 is too great, the feeler rod 72 is not knocked on by the shuttles and can be pressed into the shuttle path S4 without resistance. This indicates that the brake plate 2.6 isI too low. In order to avoid excessive wear of the brake plates or linings 25 and 26 the plate 26 is somewhat displaced in upward direction by rotation of the element 36 whereby the brake is loosened until the shuttles 12 knock against the feeler rod 72 and the forward ends of the shuttles reach the position 27 and stop thereat. If the shuttles 12 move into the dash-dot line position 27b shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 the feeler rod 73 is knocked on by the shuttles similar to the feeler rod 72, indicating that the brake plate 26 does not produce sufficient braking 6 force. The element 28 with the brake plate 26 must therefore be lowered by rotating the element 36, for tightening the brake until no knocks are felt on the feeler rod 73 and the latter can be moved freely into the shuttle path 54 because the shuttles stop again at the desired position shown by the dotted line 87.

The feeler rod 72 serves for delining a minimum length of the brake path S5 because this rod detects whether shuttles reach the rod. The feeler rod 73 serves for determining the maximum length of the brake path because this rod detects whether the shuttles stop before reaching the rod. The rods 72 and 73 therefore determine the maximal permissible difference between a minimal length and a maximal length of shuttle brake path.

After a shuttle has stopped, it is moved to the right by the push back member 3l into the position 27C shown in dash lines in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. When the shuttle is in this position the weft thread is released from the shuttle. Thereupon and after the change of the shed the end of the weft thread projecting from the shuttle is bent back by a selvage forming needle into the subsequent shed. The shuttle is subsequently moved out of the shuttle path 54 by means shown, for example in Patent No. 2,702,054, and transported back to the shuttle picking station 13.

The guide holes 48, 49 in the plate 46 serve for changing the position of the lower ends of the feeler rods for altering the length of the brake path and/ or for changing the difference between the permissible minimal length and maximal length of the brake path. If the lower end of a rod 72a is inserted into the hole 48 the shuttles must move at least to the hole 48 in order to be felt by the feeler rod 72a and the minimal length of the brake path is increased. The permissible difference between the minimal length and the maximal length of the brake path is reduced. The rod 73 may be replaced by a feeler rod which can be inserted in the hole 49 and either a rod 72 may be inserted into the hole 47 or a rod 72a may be inserted into the hole 48. If a rod corresponding to the rod 73 is inserted into the hole 49, the length of the brake path is reduced since the shuttles must now stop in front of the hole 49 to avoid vibrations of the depressed feeler whose lower end extends through the hole 49.

In the modified arrangement shown in FIG. 5 the detector 52 takes over the function of the feeler 72. There is no special feeler rod for determining the minimal length of the brake path. The upper end of the detector 52 is constructed as shown in FIG. 2 and the nose 56 releases the detector at every pick of a shuttle so that the detector can be pressed by the spring 53 into shuttle detecting position whereupon it is lifted by the nose 56 into inactive position. The feeler rod 73 is manually depressed into the active position. In this case the weaving machine is not only stopped if no shuttle passes the shuttle brake but is also stopped when the brake path of the shuttles is too short and the shuttles, due to too much brake effect, stop already, for example, at the position 27a. A too short brake path is not revealed by manual depression of a shuttle feeler but by the automatic stopping of the weaving machine.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 includes an automatic adjustment of the brake plate 26 in response to the indications of the feeler rods 72 and 73. The rods are provided with bars 88, 89, respectively, which form the armatures of solenoids whose coils 91, 92 are arranged in parallel relation in a circuit 94 connected to a source of current 93. A contact 95 is connected to the bent end 74 of the rod 72. A spring 97 resting on a stationary element 96 tends to press the end 74 against an abutment 9S and to hold the end in the position shown in FIG. 6 wherein the contact 95 is broken. A contact 99 is connected to the bent end 7S of the rod 73. A spring 162 interposed between the contact 99 and a stationary plate 101 tends to hold the rod 73 in the upper position shown in FIG. 6 wherein the Contact 99 is closed. The rod '73 can be moved downward against the action of the spring 102 until the bent end reaches an abutment 103, whereby the Contact 99 is broken.

A shaft 104 operatively connected to the main shaft 5 of the weaving machine to be driven thereby is provided with a cam 105 having a protuberance 106. A cam follower roller 109 connected to one arm of a two-arm lever 108 swinging on a fulcrum 107 rides on the cam 105. Two contacts 112 and 113 are connected to the second arm 111 of the lever 108. The contact 113 is interposed in the circuit 94. The contact 112 is interposed in a conduit 115 connected to the positive pole of a source of current 114. The previously described contact 99 is also interposed in the conduit 115. The latter is connected to the terminal 121 of an electric servoniotor 116 which rotates either in one direction or in the opposite direction depending on the connection to the source of current 114. The contact is interposed in a conduit 117 which is arranged in parallel relation to the conduit 115. The conduit 117 is connected to a second terminal 119 of the motor 116. A conduit 11S connected to the negative pole of the source of current 114 is connected to a terminal 120 of the motor 116. The latter is operatively connected to the element 36 by means of a reducing gear 119 and a suitably shaped member 110 for rotating the element 36 in one direction or in the opposite direction and thereby adjusting the position of the brake plate 26.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 operates as follows: The cam makes one revolution at every shuttle pick. The protuberance 106 lifts the roller 109 whenever a shuttle comes to a standstill in the shuttle receiving mechanism 15, temporarily closing the contacts 112 and 113. The solenoids 91 and 92 are thereby energized so that the feeler rods 72 and 73 are moved to their active positions. If the shuttles stop at the line 87 in FIG. 2, as is desired, the rod 72 can be moved downward by the solenoid 91 only so far that the contact 95 is not closed and the conduit 117 remains without current. The feeler rod 73, however, can be pulled down by the solenoid 92 until the upper end 75 of the rod 73 abuts against the abutment 103, whereby the contact 99 is broken. Therefore, the conduit is Without current although the contact 112 is closed. With the arrangement in the described position the motor 116 is not started and the brake plate 26 remains in its previously set position.

If the shuttles reach only the position indicated at 27a in FIGS. 2 and 4 because the brake is too tightly adjusted, the solenoid 91 can pull down the feeler rod 72 until the contact 95 is closed, energizing the conduit 117 and the motor 116 through the terminals 119 and 120. The motor 116 rotates briefly and moves the brake plate 26 in upward direction loosening the brake. The shuttles may now move once more up to the line 87. Readjustrnent of the brake may take place during a plurality of picks, i.e. revolutions of the cam 105 until the shuttles move once more up to the line S7.

If the shuttles do not come to a standstill until their forward end is in the position 27b in FIG. 2 because the brake is too loose the rod 73 canot be pulled down by the solenoid 92 to break the contact 99 and the conduit 115 is energized. In this case current is supplied to the terminals 120 and 121 and the motor 116 rotates in the direction which is opposite to the direction 0f rotation in which it rotates if the shuttles stop too soon and the brake plate 26 is now moved downward so that the brake effect is increased and the shuttles are stopped once more at the desired line 37. This readjustment of the brake may last through several picks, i.e. revolutions of the cam 105.

In a modied embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7 photoelectric cells 127 and 128 are provided in lieu of the feeler rods 72, 73 or 52, 73. These photoelectric cells are opposite light sources and 126, respectively. If the forward end 27 of the shuttle 12 does not reach the line 87 the light beam from the source 125 is not interrupted and the brake plate 26 is moved upward by a motor 116 as shown in FIG. 6. The motor is electrically connected to the photoelectric cells 127 in a conventional manner. Should the shuttle 12 move so far as to interrupt the light beam from the source 126, the photoelectric cell 123 energizes the motor 116 to move in the opposite direction for tightening the brake.

I claim:

l. In a weaving machine of the gripper shuttle type wherein gripper shuttles pull weft threads through a shed formed by warp threads from a spool placed outside the shed:

a shuttle receiving mechanism for receiving the shuttles after having passed through the shed and after having inserted a weft thread thereinto,

said shuttle receiving mechanism including a brake for braking the speed of the shuttles and stopping the shuttles,

adjusting means operatively connected to said brake for adjusting the braking force thereof,

two shuttle feelers placed in said mechanism in spaced relation along the path of the shuttles for defining the last part of the path of the forward ends of the shuttles within said mechanism and affording adjustment of said adjusting means to effect stoppage of the shuttles within said defined part of the shuttle path.

2. In a weaving machine as dcned in claim l, means operatively associated with each of said feelers for resiliently urging said feelers to an inactive position and affording manual pressing of said feelers into shuttle feeling position against the action of said urging means.

3. In a weaving machine according to claim 2 and wherein each of said feelers has an end portion adjacent to the shuttle path and said shuttle receiving mechanism includes stationary guide means placed adjacent to the path of the shuttles and so constructed and arranged as to receive and guide said end portions.

4. In a weaving machine according to claim 3 and wherein said guide means includes:

a plate element,

a plurality of apertures in said plate element placed along a line parallel to the shuttle path for selectively receiving said end portions of said feelers and placing said end portions at selected distances from each other.

5. In a weaving machine of the gripper shuttle type wherein gripper shuttles pull weft threads through a shed formed by Warp threads from a spool placed outside of the shed:

a shuttle receiving mechanism for receiving the shuttles after having passed through the shed and after having inserted a weft thread thereinto,

said shuttle receiving mechanism including a brake for braking the speed of the shuttles and stopping the shuttles,

adjusting means operatively connected to said brake for adjusting the braking force thereof,

two shuttle feelers placed in said mechanism in spaced relation along the last part of the shuttle path for indicating the position of the forward ends of the stopped shuttles,

and means operatively connected to said shuttle feelers and to said adjusting means for actuating the latter in response to the indications made by said feelers for adjusting the braking force of said brake to stop the shuttles in a position wherein the forward ends of the shuttles are within the part of the shuttle path located between said feelers.

6. In a Weaving machine of the gripper shuttle type wherein gripper shuttles pull weft threads through a shed formed by warp threads from a spool placed outside the shed:

a Shuttle receiving mechanism for receiving the shuttles after having passed through the shed and after having inserted a weft thread thereinto,

said shuttle receiving mechanism including a brake for braking the speed of the shuttles and stopping the shuttles,

adjusting means operatively connected to said brake for adjusting the braking force thereof,

said shuttle receiving mechanism including a shuttle feeler for detecting the presence of a shuttle in said receiving mechanism,

means for actuating means for stopping the weaving machine,

means for periodically operatively connecting said shuttle feeler to said actuating means for stopping the weaving machine upon absence of a shuttle in said shuttle receiving mechanism,

said shuttle receiving mechanism including a second shuttle feeler placed in spaced relation to said first shuttle feeler along the shuttle path adjacent to the desired position of the forward ends of the stopped shuttles for dening the last part of the shuttle path within said mechanism and affording adjustment of said adjusting means to eTect stoppage of the shuttles Within said defined part of the shuttle path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Rossmann Oct. 13, 1936 Pedrazzo et al Dec. 9, 1941 Pfarrwaller Jan. 23, 1951 Laraia et al. Oct. 16, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS France Nov. 9, 1959 France Mar. 7, 1960 

1. IN A WEAVING MACHINE OF THE GRIPPER SHUTTLE TYPE WHEREIN GRIPPER SHUTTLES PULL WEFT THREADS THROUGH A SHED FORMED BY WARP THREADS FROM A SPOOL PLACED OUTSIDE THE SHED: A SHUTTLE RECEIVING MECHANISM FOR RECEIVING THE SHUTTLES AFTER HAVING PASSED THROUGH THE SHED AND AFTER HAVING INSERTED A WEFT THREAD THEREINTO, SAID SHUTTLE RECEIVING MECHANISM INCLUDING A BRAKE FOR BRAKING THE SPEED OF THE SHUTTLES AND STOPPING THE SHUTTLES, ADJUSTING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BRAKE FOR ADJUSTING THE BRAKING FORCE THEREOF, TWO SHUTTLE FEELERS PLACED IN SAID MECHANISM IN SPACED RELATION ALONG THE PATH OF THE SHUTTLES FOR DEFINING THE LAST PART OF THE PATH OF THE FORWARD ENDS OF THE SHUTTLES WITHIN SAID MECHANISM AND AFFORDING ADJUSTMENT OF SAID ADJUSTING MEANS TO EFFECT STOPPAGE OF THE SHUTTLES WITHIN SAID DEFINED PART OF THE SHUTTLE PATH. 